How Long Does It Take to Get an Associate Degree?

While an associate degree is often referred to as a 2-year college degree, that doesn’t mean it has to take you that long to graduate. By choosing a university that offers liberal transfer policies, flexible online options, and shorter, more frequent semesters, you can greatly reduce the amount of time it takes to earn an online associate degree.

Alternatively, if you need to take fewer classes during the year because of competing work or personal obligations, many online schools can offer the flexibility to get your degree at your own pace. Schools that provide this option can help you earn an associate degree on a timeline that allows you to balance school and work. 

Whether an online associate degree takes you more or less than 2 years to complete, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that obtaining this degree may lead to higher earnings and lower unemployment.*

In 2023, according to BLS, individuals with associate degrees earned a median weekly salary of $1,058, compared to those with only a high school diploma who earned $899.* Just 2.7% of associate degree holders were unemployed in 2023 compared to those with only a high school diploma, who had a 3.9% unemployment rate, BLS stated.*

What is an Associate Degree? 

Simply stated, an associate degree requires that you earn 60 credits. That's half as many college credits as a bachelor’s degree. Not only is it a stepping stone toward a bachelor’s degree, but an associate degree gives you the latitude to either pursue general studies degree or narrow to a particular career field.

For example, graduates with an associate degree in Information Technology (IT) can apply to be a computer user support specialist — a position with a median salary of $60,810 in 2023, according to the BLS.* And, the credits you earn can usually be applied toward a bachelor's degree in information technology or another related program.

If you aren’t sure what you want to major in and are considering if an associate degree is worth it, keep in mind associate degrees can prepare you for entry-level jobs as well as fulfill the general education requirements in bachelor’s degree programs.

How Many Credits Are Most Associate Degrees? 

Rather than measuring the time it will take to earn your associate degree by months or years, consider it instead in terms of credit hours. According to the U.S. Department of Education, most American colleges and universities award college credit by the semester hour (PDF Source). In order to receive an associate degree, you must earn at least 60 credits, which typically can be fulfilled by completing 20 three-credit courses.

While many traditional American higher education institutions follow academic years that are divided into two equal semesters of 15 or 16 weeks, some are divided into quarters. Others, including certain online universities, may offer up to 6 terms annually.

The term schedule of the institution you ultimately choose can greatly increase or decrease the number of classes you are able to take each year — thus shortening or lengthening the time it will take for you to earn your 60 credits. Some universities that offer online courses might also offer you a greater number of opportunities to earn credits throughout the academic year.

How Long Does It Take to Earn an Associate Degree Online?

It's no longer unusual to pursue your associate degree online.

In the fall semester of 2022, 53.3% of students were enrolled in distance education courses, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Inside Higher Ed, a news platform dedicated to higher education, further noted that the 2023 Changing Landscape of Online Education survey found that 56% of institutions surveyed saw growth in hybrid or online programs.

Taking courses in an online format can allow you to manage work/life balance and the responsibilities of college courses more effectively, while still maintaining a steady academic pace.

"The asynchronous design of SNHU's online classes allows student to have a lot of flexibility in terms of how to fit school into their schedule," said Brittni Relf, an academic advisor at SNHU. She noted that this flexibility can allow you to determine what time to focus on schoolwork and how to prioritize your other life responsibilities with your education.

If you've already earned some college credits, many online programs also accept transfer credits from other on-campus or online institutions. This is particularly helpful if you had to pause your education years ago.

It's possible for you to transfer up to 45 credits towards an associate's degree, according to Relf. "This can be beneficial to students who previously completed college courses so that they can still receive credit for those classes and be that much closer to achieving the goal of earning their degree," she said.

There are also other ways that you can earn credits towards your degree.

"There is possibility to earn college credit for internship experiences," Relf said. Additionally, you may choose to take a College Level Equivalency Program (CLEP) exam in a particular subject area to test out of college courses, specifically certain prerequisites, and receive college credit for those classes.

How to Get an Associate Degree

Getting your associate degree can give you the general education needed to jumpstart your career or as a foundational piece toward a bachelor's degree.

If you are considering an associate degree, a good starting point would be to take some time to research schools and the programs that they offer. If you find a program that you are interested in at a school that aligns with your life, then the next step would be to apply.

If your application gets accepted, then there are generally two types of associate degrees to choose from: an Associate of Science degree (AS) or an Associate of Arts Degree (AA). The difference between an AA and and AS degree is the focus and educational paths they prepare you for. The AA degree centers around liberal arts and humanities, while the AS degree focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Choosing the right area of study for you can help you improve your skill set and achieve long-term success.

Some degrees to consider are:

• Associate degree in cybersecurity
• Associate degree in digital photography
• Associate degree in marketing
• Associate degree in data analytics

The Bridge Toward a Bachelor’s Degree 

Once you’ve earned your associate degree, you're considered a college graduate. While some consider their academic careers complete at this point, you may ultimately wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree. If this is of interest to you, consider an associate degree program that allows you to seamlessly transfer the credits you've already earned toward your bachelor’s degree.

Typically, credits earned in associate degree programs can be applied toward general education requirements. For example, if you choose to earn your AS degree, you can complete many of the general education requirements needed for a bachelor's degree.

After earning an associate degree, you might be surprised to learn how quickly you can finish your bachelor's. To find out how many more courses you'll need to graduate, some schools offer free credit evaluations for prospective transfer students. At SNHU, it's as easy as this:

1. Complete the free 5-minute online application. There’s no obligation after filling it out.
2. Get your transcripts requested — for free. Chat with an admission counselor, and we'll request your transcripts on your behalf.
3. Receive your free evaluation. Soon after all your transcripts are in, you'll get your official evaluation. It will show you what was transferred in — and what classes you need to complete.

With an associate degree in hand, you could have up to half of your bachelor's degree completed by the time you start classes at SNHU, even if it's been a while since you were last enrolled.

"It's been some 20 years since I've been in school," said Camellia Varnado '20. "I had an associate degree from community college. Sixty of those credits transferred."

Whether you are looking for a degree that can prepare you for the workforce or to pave the way toward a bachelor’s degree, you can complete your associate degree at the pace you desire in many programs — potentially in less than two years.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Krysten Godfrey Maddocks ’11G is a writer who covers K-12 and higher education topics, including policy and the role of digital technology in education. She spent almost a decade working in various marketing roles at an educational assessment company before launching a strategic marketing company. Maddocks earned a master's degree in marketing from Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor's degree in English/ journalism from the University of New Hampshire. Connect with her on LinkedIn.